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Healthy Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Recipe Everyone Will Love

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

Need a fast dinner that doesn’t taste boring? This Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights recipe is the answer. Juicy chicken breasts get brushed with sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, then cooked until tender, flavorful, and perfectly caramelized. It’s simple, family-friendly, and made with just a few everyday ingredients, which means less stress and more dinner wins. Whether you grill it outside or bake it in the oven, this easy chicken recipe brings big flavor without extra work. Serve it with rice, veggies, or a fresh salad for a quick weeknight meal everyone will actually be excited to eat.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Hawaiian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt as needed
  • Freshly cracked black pepper as needed
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce choose your favorite brand or homemade sauce

Method
 

    Grilled BBQ Chicken (Best Method)

    1. Start by heating your grill to high heat, about 450°F. Once it’s hot, clean the grates well so the chicken cooks evenly and releases more easily.
    2. Lightly coat both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
    3. Set the chicken directly on the hot grill and close the lid. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side, or until the chicken naturally lifts away from the grates without sticking.
    4. Turn the chicken over and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. Brush one side with BBQ sauce, flip, and cook for about 2 minutes. Brush the other side with sauce and repeat, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly without burning.
    5. Continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. After resting, it will rise to the safe final temperature of 165°F.
    6. Move the chicken to a plate, loosely cover it with foil, and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Add extra BBQ sauce on the side if you like.

    Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken

    1. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Place the chicken breasts on a foil-lined baking sheet for easier cleanup.
    2. Rub each piece lightly with olive oil, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
    3. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pan, brush the tops with BBQ sauce, and return the chicken to the oven for another 5 to 8 minutes.
    4. The chicken is done when the sauce looks slightly sticky and caramelized, the juices run clear, and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
    5. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving so the juices settle and the temperature finishes rising to 165°F.

Notes

This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can absolutely use other cuts like chicken thighs or even bone-in pieces. Just keep in mind they’ll need a longer cooking time.

Helpful Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken

Choose medium-sized chicken breasts

Try to use chicken breasts that are around 6 to 9 ounces each. Oversized pieces often cook unevenly and can dry out before the center is fully done.

Brush the chicken with oil, not the grill

It may seem smart to oil the grates, but that usually leads to smoking and burnt oil flavor. Oil the chicken itself instead for better results.

Keep the grill closed while cooking

Grilling with the lid down helps trap heat and cook the chicken more evenly from all sides. That means juicier meat and less chance of drying out.